TOWN OF SUTTON
Pillsbury Memorial Town Hall
93 Main Street Sutton Mills, NH
Sutton Mills, NH 03221
Select Board

November 23, 2020 @ 4:00 p.m.

 

The meeting was called to order at 4:10 p.m. by Robert Wright Jr., Chair. Selectman Wright read the following announcement into the record: “Due to the COVID 19/Coronavirus Pandemic and in accordance with Governor Sununu’s Emergency Order #12, pursuant to Executive Order 2020-04, this Board is authorized to meet electronically. The public has access to contemporaneously listen and participate in this meeting by telephone by calling 978-990-5000 and entering access code 112820.”

 

Present at the meeting were: Robert Wright, Jr., Chair; William I. Curless, Selectman; Dane Headley, Selectman Hilary Grimes, Rescue Squad Chief; Cory Cochran, Fire Chief; Aaron Flewelling, Deputy Fire Chief; Adam Hurst, Road Agent; Earle Chesley; Peter Blakeman, Blakeman Engineering; Michael and Karin Heffernan and Elly Phillips, Town Administrator. Attending by teleconference was Robert DeFelice, Budget Chair.

 

The minutes from November 16, 2020 were approved as written. The Non-Public sealed minutes for November 16 and November 20, 2020 were approved as written.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

 

At 4:15 Hilary Grimes, Rescue Squad Chief, met with the Board to review the 2021 Rescue Squad proposed budget. Chief Grimes said that the Rescue Squad was proposing a budget of $80,614 for 2021, a reduction of $1,000 from the 2019 budget. The reduction is based on an anticipated squad roster of eleven members.   The 2021 budget includes $67,414 for New London Ambulance (no change from 2019) and $1,200 is budgeted in the event that a support ambulance from another town is called. Chief Grimes thanked the Board for their support in 2019 by funding the Zoll Defibrillator, adding that the defibrillator was put to good use this year.   Chief Grimes discussed a grant applied for in 2019 for ballistic equipment. The Squad received grant reimbursement in the amount of $4,830.21. Chief Grimes also provided a breakdown of 2020 expenditures. Selectman Wright thanked Chief Grimes for her thorough presentation of her budget.

 

At 5:15 p.m. Cory Cochran, Fire Chief, and Aaron Flewelling, Deputy Fire Chief, met with the Board to review the Fire Department’s 2021 proposed budget. Chief Cochran advised that there is no change to the operating budget.   The Fire Department has been holding the line for the past 5 years.

 

 

Chief Cochran recommending Capital Reserve funding as follows:

Fire Equipment                 $ 50,000 (reduced $25,000) from 2019

Safety Facility                     $100,000

Rescue Vehicle                                 $ 10,000

Safety Equipment            $ 37,000 (for SCBA equipment replacement)

Forest Fire                           $     250

 

The Fire Department has been exploring acquisition of a new tanker. Currently there is approximately $260,000 in capital reserves. The Fire Department has received three quotations for a new tanker:

Dingee                  $240,000

Lakes Region      $321,400

Greenwood        $320,000

The Truck Committee has recommended Dingee, out of Cornish, as the vendor noting that it is a local company similar to Valley’s.   The Fire Department feels that is the best fit. The Department has the money to move ahead. Chief Cochran shared specs for the pumper.

 

Chief Cochran advised that the next truck replace is slated for about 15 years from now and the estimated budget is $700,000. Therefore, Chief Cochran recommended $50,000 for capital funding for 2021.

 

Selectman Wright asked whether the Fire Department had any safety concerns, adjustments or changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Chief Cochran described the social distancing measures the department was taking during meetings.

 

At 5:15 Pete Blakeman regarding the Lane River Historic Wall/Grist Mill Street. Adam Hurst, Road Agent, was present for the meeting. Bruce Knox, Structural Engineer, provided recommendations to the Town. Pete Blakeman, Blakeman Engineering stated that he has worked with Mr. Knox on similar projects. Mr. Blakeman and Mr. Knox performed a site visit and Mr. Knox observed that the wall has failed.

 

Selectman Curless and Road Agent Hurst recollected that the new bridge was sited on concrete piers. Mr. Blakeman asked that the Town review their files and provide any additional documentation that they had regarding the project. Selectman Wright summarized the initial/interim solutions recommended which included closing the pedestrian bridge. Mr. Blakeman said that the recommendations were based on a visual inspection and review of plans. Any additional information provided would be taken into consideration. At a minimum, the bridge needs to be closed for now. The bridge may need to be removed and temporarily stored offsite. It was noted that this is not a static situation and the wall is continuing to deteriorate. Concerns were expressed regarding the pedestrian bridge putting further pressure on the walls. Permitting measures were discussed. Mr. Blakeman agreed to follow up with the DES Wetlands bureau regarding current conditions and possible temporary remediation measures.

 

Selectman Wright sought guidance for going forward.   Mr. Blakeman recommended that Mr. Knox be retained to develop structural plans. Mr. Blakeman will review temporary remediation measures, contact the DES and assist with permitting. Budgeting for the project was discussed as well as capital reserve funding options. Mr. Blakeman indicated that further analysis was required in order to arrive at a project estimate. Selectman Curless outlined the steps for the project and offered a rough guess estimate. Ms. Heffernan recollected that the original project was a road project. It was noted that a change of purpose for the Bridge Fund is an option. Ms. Heffernan encouraged the Board to wait for the analysis prior to attempting funding estimates.

 

Selectman Headley expressed concerns regarding the timetable/timeline for the project and obtaining bids for the project as soon as possible in preparation for Town Meeting. Ms. Heffernan reiterated her concerns regarding the telephone pole that has been compromised by the eroding bank. Selectman Curless made a motion to notify the NH DES and close the pedestrian bridge immediately. Selectman Headley seconded the motion. The motion passed by a unanimous affirmative vote.

 

Phillips will coordinate with Hansen. Road Agent Hurst will contact Mr. Bagley regarding historical files. Mr. Blakeman will touch base with Mr. Knox and report back to the Board as information becomes available.

 

REVIEW OF MANIFESTS:

The Board reviewed and approved the following manifests:

PAYROLL MANIFEST:      $11,663.56

VENDOR MANIFEST:       $20,146.88

VENDOR MANIFEST:       $ 2,934.00

 

BUILDING PERMITS:

The Board reviewed and approved the following building permits:

Justin Fitzgerald, 01-130-386, Stevens Brook Road for a dwelling addition to garage.

Michael and Anne Sigourney, 02-727-241, Old Blaisdell Road for a generator.

Earle & Cathy Chesley, 08-109-408, Harvey Road, for a demolition of camp and construction of dwelling.

Rick and Jessica Valley, 10-037-404, Ridge Road, solar array.

 

INTENT TO CUT:

The Board reviewed and approved the following intent to cuts:

Hibbard, 03-470-314, North Road for 220 acres out of 262.7

Stafford, 03-113-102, North Road for 12 acres out of 32.8

 

CEMETERY DEED:

The Board reviewed and approved the following cemetery deeds:

Karen Tuttle, East Sutton Cemetery, Lot 10-C

Darren Pfeil, Millswoods Cemetery, Lot J-7

 

OLD BUSINESS:

The Board agreed to schedule a conference call with Town Counsel to review the draft MOU with the library.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

The Board approved a Yield Tax for Karen Fischer Anderson, 02-730-262+, in the amount of $8,182.95.

The Board approved an abatement for Carl E. Smith on the 2020 Tax Issue, $500.00 for a qualified All Veteran Credit.

 

SELECTMEN’S COMMENTS:

Selectman Headley reported that he has ordered two microphone stands and a new system for the sound system for a total expenditure of $40.00.

 

PUBLIC INPUT:

Mr. DeFelice will report on the joint KRSD School Board/MBC meeting at the Select Board’s next regularly scheduled meeting.

 

Selectman Headley made a motion to continue the non-public sessions to 4:00 p.m. on November 24, 2020. Selectman Curless seconded the motion. The motion passed by a unanimous affirmative vote.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was continued at 5:53 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Elly Phillips

Town Administrator